The Natural History of Chocolate Part 8

I have seen such surprizing Effects from this Emplaister, that I am almost backward to mention them, lest they should seem incredible. It cures the most stubborn and inveterate Ulcers, provided the Bone is not carious: for in this Case, lest you should lose your Labour, you must begin with the Bone, and then apply the Plaister. The Place must be dress'd Morning and Evening after it is clean'd with Lime Water, and wiped well with a Linnen Cloth.

The same Plaister may serve several Times, provided it be washed with Lime Water, wiped with a Rag, and held to the Fire a Moment before it is apply'd.

I exhort charitable People to make this Plaister and give it to the Poor, especially those that live in the Country; they will draw down a Thousand Blessings in this Life, and the Lord will recompence them hereafter.

_An excellent Pomatum for Ringworms, Tettars, Pimples, and other Deformities of the Skin._

Take _Flowers_ of _Brimstone_[a], _Salt Petre_ purified, of each Half an Ounce; good _White Precipitate_[b], two Drams; _Benzoin_ or _Benjamin_, a Dram.

Beat the _Benjamin_ and _Salt-Petre_ a good while in a Bra.s.s Mortar, till they are reduced into a very fine Powder, then mix the Flower of Brimstone and White Precipitate with them and keep this Powder for Use.

At _Martinico_ when I had occasion to make use of it, I incorporated it with b.u.t.ter of Chocolate; but in _France_, I subst.i.tute the best-scented _Jessamin Pomatum_: This Smell, joined with that of Benjamin, corrects the Smell of the Brimstone, which some Persons abhor.

I cannot sufficiently recommend this _Pomatum_, which always succeeds well, and I have often found it beneficial when every thing else fail'd.

You must not wonder if on the first, and sometimes the second Day, the Tettar seems more lively, or the Complection more dull; it is a sign that the Malignity is drawn out, and that the Seeds of it are destroy'd: you must therefore take heed of desisting, for the Skin in a little Time will be render'd as even and smooth as you can desire.

FOOTNOTES:

[a] To wit, those that are made in _Holland_, if they can be got.

[b] To know if the _Precipitate_ be good, you may do thus; Put a little upon a live Coal, if it flies away, it is good; if it stays behind, it is nothing but powder'd Ceruss, or some such thing.

_FINISH.